Recklessly Royal(25)

“What?” My eyebrows pulled together and I frowned.

“A date. Like to the movies or grab some food.” He shrugged one shoulder and gave me a half smile.

“The movies?” I stared at him dumbfounded. Go to a movie theater?

“Or whatever you do in Lilaria on dates.” He scratched at his chin. “I’m willing to do something else.”

I looked down at my bare feet sticking out of the faded night pants and thought about it. Just the idea made my stomach do flips. Could I have a normal night with him after he had turned away from me? After he had seen me mostly naked?

“You’re asking me out on a date?” My brain refused to completely compute what was happening.

“I’d like to see you again.” His head bobbed a little as if he was agreeing with what he had said. “I’d like to get to know you better.”

Maybe it was that last sentence. Or perhaps it was the fact that I really had enjoyed talking with him last night. It could even be the fact that he looked so damn adorable standing there asking me for a date. But my mouth once again took over and my answer burst forth without thought.

“I’d like that.”

“Good.” A grin broke out on his face. “Tonight?”

“Um, I have to check my schedule.” I frowned.

“You know, with any other girl I might think you were trying to find an excuse, but you probably really do have to check your calendar.” He chuckled, but I caught the nervous hint underneath.

“I’m not trying to find an excuse.” I rolled my eyes. “Free time is sometimes hard to come by.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.” He smiled sheepishly. “About last night—”

“No.” I shook my head adamantly. “Let’s just forget last night.”

“There are some things a man can’t forget.” He looked at me with deep eyes. “But we can start over—try things from the beginning.”

“This means we’re not going to talk about the whole stripping mishap, right?” I stood up and held out my hand.

“Oh, now that isn’t something anyone can forget.” He wrapped his fingers around mine. “Hi, I’m David Rhodes.”

“Hi, David. I’m Cathy.”

“Nice pj’s.” His eyes ran over my body and I wondered if he was imagining what was underneath.

“I wasn’t exactly expecting company.” I frowned.

“Would you have dressed up if you’d known I was coming?” He still had my hand wrapped in his.

“Well, you’ve already seen me puke in a potted plant and hungover the next day.” I shrugged. “This is actually an improvement.”

“Even hungover, you were gorgeous.” He winked and finally let go of my hand.

“Wow.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you practicing these compliments in the mirror at night?”

“I can’t reveal my secrets.” He tucked his hands back into his pockets.

There was a knock on the door and I looked past David as Selene stuck her head inside.

“My apologies. I didn’t realize you had a guest.” She started to duck out, but stopped long enough to add something. “Our next appointment is in an hour.”

“Thank you. I’ll be ready soon.” I nodded at her as she closed the door quietly.

“Well, I’ll let you get dressed,” David said.

“I have a meeting with some of the officials working on my new charity.” I smiled. I was really looking forward to meeting with the investors. The program I wanted to start targeted schools that had cut art training out of the budget. Art was something that I was passionate about and I didn’t want children to miss out on the opportunity to express their creativity.

“I’d like to hear about it.” He walked to the door before stopping to smile at me. “Should I call your secretary and make an appointment?”

“No.” I giggled. “Chadwick is helping you while Sam is gone, right?”

“Yeah.” He shook his head. “That man is intimidating. I think he has planned out my bathroom schedule.”

“I’ll have Selene find out when we both have free time.”

“Hopefully soon.” He opened the door, smiled at me, and then closed it behind him.

“Hopefully,” I whispered. The oddest feeling swamped over me. Fear, excitement, and pure adrenaline. If I didn’t know any better I felt like I wanted to giggle and squeal. Instead I acted like the adult I was and got dressed while I danced around the room to music from my mp3 player. Giddiness had me shaking my booty in the mirror. I hadn’t ever been this excited by the thought of a date before.